BASKETBALL: Rush's pact for season finale

Rush coach Peter Cunningham and players made a team pact to finish strong.

RUSH players made a pact to finish strong and to finish the season together.

They agreed earlier in the week that all 12 players would get time on the floor, but they were still fighting for the win.

Ballarat Rush almost pulled off a stunning win against Geelong too, before falling 12 points short at The Arena on Saturday night.

Integra Rush ended its season as the best team outside the South East Australian Basketball League's eight women's finalists, having beaten four of the teams in the eight.

Ballarat coach Peter Cunningham said the most pleasing part for him in Geelong was that his team was there for the contest .

"We would've loved to have won it," Cunningham said.

"I took Steph (Cumming) off with six minutes to go, Sophie (Alexander) hit a three, then Bronte (Clark) made a great pass to Kasey Burton who score a basket for two and I thought we were right in this.

"We were four points down, went down and had a shot, went down again and Kasey got a great rebound but they were there for the crumbs.

The Lady Supercats were thankful for the hit-out on the eve of their finals campaign and made sure to let Rush know post-match.

Cunningham said his team was beaten on one statistic Rush allowed the Supercats 24 offensive rebounds.

Rush has been troubled the same way all season due to a lack of experience and height.

Cunningham rotated all 12 players in the first half and every player stepped up.

Steph Cumming held the team together with 21 points, five rebounds and six assists while captain Kristy Rinaldi gave up her spot to blood younger players from three-quarter time.

Alexander nailed four three-pointers and Lydia Brooks score her first SEABL basket.

Cunningham said that with a bit more strength, his team could really go places next season.